[HPforGrownups] Re: Harry's POV?

[Neil Ward]

No: HPFGUIDX 15682

Billy said:

<<I think you are correct that the POV argument is bogus.  If the story  was
told from Harry's POV then Harry would be in every scene.  E.g. is the first
chapter of GOF told from Harry's POV?  Obviously not as he is unaware of
what took place there.>>

I think we've established that the first chapters of PS and GoF are
exceptions and that the first chapter of GoF could, arguably, have been a
dream sequence in Harry's head.  Harry is clearly the focal point of all the
other chapters.

Going back to Naama's point about colouring, a while back we discussed
examples of overheard discussions that would at least not be coloured by
being reactive to or in direct reference to Harry.  These include the scenes
where Harry, unseen, overhears conversations between other characters and
the one scene where he is disguised by the Polyjuice Potion and talking to
Draco.  It seems that Harry is being shielded from some information, so what
we learn from these eavesdroppings is usually important. Often, Harry gets
to hear what people really think of him rather than what they would want him
to hear, and JKR may have introduced the invisibility cloak in particular to
allow us to hear exchanges and facts that we couldn't possibly hear in third
person limited.

I have a feeling that we will see more scenes without Harry in them in the
next three books.   I think several characters have been developed/prepared
sufficiently to take on primary POV (i.e. perspective) status, particularly
Hagrid and Snape, and it would be a shame if that isn't utilised.  I don't
think we'll ever see things from Hermione's or Ron's POV though. <g>

Neil
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"Krum, his red robes shining with blood from his nose,
was rising gently into the air, his fist held high, a glint
of gold in his hand." ["The Quidditch World Cup", GoF]

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